Ripple Expands RLUSD Stablecoin to Ethereum Layer-2 Networks

Ripple’s announcement positions RLUSD’s expansion as a critical step toward broader institutional and consumer adoption. The stablecoin, which debuted on both the XRP Ledger and Ethereum, will be tested on major Ethereum layer-2 networks including Optimism, Coinbase’s Base, Kraken’s Ink, and Uniswap’s Unichain. Ripple Senior Vice President of Stablecoin Jack McDonald framed the move as foundational, stating, “Stablecoins are the gateway to DeFi and institutional adoption. We are not just expanding utility; we are setting the definitive standard where compliance and on-chain efficiency converge.” This statement directly addresses the dual demands of the market: seamless functionality and robust regulatory adherence.

The company explicitly acknowledged that the future of digital assets is “undeniably multichain,” and that “stablecoins must exist wherever demand and utility are.” This philosophy marks a strategic evolution for Ripple, which has long championed its native XRP Ledger. While the XRP Ledger features a built-in decentralized exchange, Ripple is pragmatically embracing the liquidity and developer activity concentrated within the Ethereum ecosystem and its scaling solutions. The integration via Wormhole’s NTT token standard, which already powers over 100 natively multichain assets including BlackRock’s BUIDL fund, is designed to ensure RLUSD can move fluidly across these new networks.

Ripple identified Optimism as a “crucial entry point” for its layer-2 strategy, citing the growing “Superchain” of networks that utilize Optimism’s OP Stack. By integrating here, RLUSD gains potential access to a broad suite of applications that share communication layers and technical standards. The practical goal, as outlined in the press release, is to support RLUSD’s use in consumer-facing services such as swaps, checkout options, and payments, directly tapping into high-volume use cases.

This technical expansion is bolstered by significant regulatory progress. Last week, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse celebrated the company’s conditional approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to establish a national trust banking charter, calling it “a massive step forward” for the stablecoin. This approval, granted simultaneously to rivals Paxos and Circle, provides a stronger U.S. regulatory foundation for RLUSD, which was reported to be worth $1.3 billion at the time of the announcement. The charter enhances Ripple’s credibility as a compliant issuer in a competitive market dominated by giants like Circle’s USDC.

Early market data for RLUSD shows promising traction alongside areas for growth. According to CoinGecko, RLUSD generated $32 million in trading volume over a 24-hour period, with the majority—$24 million—concentrated on the Bullish exchange, which went public in August. The stablecoin also maintained a presence on established platforms like Kraken and Bitstamp, the latter recently acquired by Robinhood. This trading activity indicates initial liquidity and exchange support.

However, the expansion also highlights the challenge of jumpstarting ecosystem activity. Ripple’s own Ethereum-compatible network on the XRP Ledger, launched in June, had generated only about $80 in trading volume in the past week and hosts just eight projects, according to DefiLlama. This contrast underscores the strategic necessity of integrating with established, high-activity layer-2 networks rather than relying solely on native infrastructure. The coming year’s integration with Optimism, Base, Ink, and Unichain via Wormhole will be the true test of whether Ripple can translate its regulatory wins and multichain vision into sustained utility and adoption for RLUSD, setting it apart in a crowded stablecoin field.